Evaluation of two fast and easy methods for pesticide residue analysis in fatty food matrixes

Two rapid methods of sample preparation and analysis of fatty foods (e.g., milk, eggs, and avocado) were evaluated and compared for 32 pesticide residues representing a wide range of physicochemical properties. One method, dubbed the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method for pesticide residue analysis, entailed extraction of 15 g sample with 15 mL acetonitrile (MeCN) containing 1% acetic acid followed by addition of 6 g anhydrous magnesium sulfate and 1.5 g sodium acetate. After centrifugation, 1 mL of the buffered MeCN extract underwent a cleanup step (in a technique known as dispersive solid-phase extraction) using 50 mg each of C18 and primary secondary amine sorbents plus 150 mg MgSO4. The second method incorporated a form of matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), in which 0.5 g sample plus 2 g C18 and 2 g anhydrous sodium sulfate was mixed in a mortar and pestle and added above a 2 g Florisil column on a vacuum manifold. Then, 5 x 2 mL MeCN was used to elute the pesticide analytes from the sample into a collection tube, and the extract was concentrated to 0.5 mL by evaporation. Extracts in both methods were analyzed concurrently by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The recoveries of semi-polar and polar pesticides were typically 100% in both methods (except that basic pesticides, such as thiabendazole and imazalil, were not recovered in the MSPD method), but recovery of nonpolar pesticides decreased as fat content of the sample increased. This trend was more pronounced in the QuEChERS method, in which case the most lipophilic analyte tested, hexachlorobenzene, gave 27 +/- 1% recovery (n=6) in avocado (15% fat) with a<10 ng/g limit of quantitation.     

Use of buffering and other means to improve results of problematic pesticides in a fast and easy method for residue analysis of fruits and vegetables

A modification that entails the use of buffering during extraction was made to further improve results for certain problematic pesticides (e.g., folpet, dichlofluanid, chlorothalonil, and pymetrozine) in a simple, fast, and inexpensive method for the determination of pesticides in produce. The method, known as the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method for pesticide residues in foods, now involves the extraction of the sample with acetonitrile (MeCN) containing 1% acetic acid (HAc) and simultaneous liquid-liquid partitioning formed by adding anhydrous MgSO4 plus sodium acetate (NaAc). The extraction method is carried out by shaking a centrifuge tube which contains 1 mL of 1% HAc in MeCN plus 0.4 g anhydrous MgSO4 and 0.1 g anhydrous NaAc per g sample. The tube is then centrifuged, and a portion of the extract is transferred to a tube containing 50 mg primary secondary amine sorbent plus 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4/mL of extract. After a mixing and centrifugation step, the extract is transferred to autosampler vials for concurrent analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Independent of the original sample pH, the use of buffering during the extraction yields pH <4 in the MeCN extract and >5 in the water phase, which increases recoveries of both acid- and base-sensitive pesticides. The method was evaluated for 32 diverse pesticides in different matrixes, and typical percent recoveries were 95 +/- 10, even for some problematic pesticides. Optional solvent exchange to toluene prior to GC/MS analysis was also evaluated, showing equally good results with the benefit of lower detection limits, but at the cost of more time, material, labor, and expense.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定土壤中239种农药的残留量

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(UPLC-MS/MS),可于10 min内快速测定土壤中的239种农药残留。土壤样品经AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) QuEChERS方法处理,用乙腈萃取;无水硫酸镁、乙酸钠固液分离后,过0.2 μm滤膜;在UPLC-MS/MS正、负离子同步扫描多反应监测模式下进行分析。239种农药中,线性相关系数(r²)大于0.99的有236个,占总数的99%。在40 μg/kg添加水平下所有被检测农药的回收率均在50%~150%之间,且相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于20%;其中有209种农药的回收率达到70%~120%,有161种的RSD小于10%。方法的检出限(LOD)范围为0.69~29.04 μg/kg。土壤中多种农药残留的同时检测要求时间短、准确度和精密度高,本方法符合这些检测要求,适用于土壤中农药残留的检测。     

An evaluation method for determination of non-polar pesticide residues in animal fat samples by using dispersive solid-phase extraction clean-up and GC-MS

A rapid and easy method has been proposed, optimized and evaluated for quantitative determination at trace level of a representative group of non-polar pesticides in fat samples. The method includes n-hexane-saturated acetonitrile extraction, fat precipitation by cooling pre clean-up followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) based on QuEChERS procedure clean-up. Determination was performed by gas chromatography?Cmass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Efficiency of the d-SPE clean-up step was evaluated by comparison with fat oxidation treatment and gel permeation chromatography. Different combinations of d-SPE extraction reagents and sample amounts were tested in order to minimize matrix co-extractives and interferences. Best recoveries were obtained with 1200?mg of MgSO₄, 400?mg of end-capped C₁₈, 400?mg of PSA and 1?g of sample amount. SIM method, matrix effect, precision, and accuracy were evaluated with spiked pork fat samples for 38 representative pesticides. Results of this study showed that this technique is applicable in routine analysis for its application into monitoring programs. It simplifies time-consuming clean-up steps and allows a satisfactory long-term chromatographic performance.     

High throughput analysis of 150 pesticides in fruits and vegetables using QuEChERS and low-pressure gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A higher monitoring rate is highly desirable in the labs, but this goal is typically limited by sample throughput. In this study, we sought to assess the real-world applicability of fast, low-pressure GC–time-of-flight MS (LP-GC/TOFMS) for the identification and quantification of 150 pesticides in tomato, strawberry, potato, orange, and lettuce samples. Buffered and unbuffered versions of QuEChERS (which stands for “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe”) using dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) and disposable pipette extraction (DPX) for clean-up were compared for sample preparation. For clean-up of all sample types, a combination of 150 mg MgSO₄, 50 mg primary secondary amine (PSA), 50 mg C₁₈, and 7.5 mg graphitized carbon black (GCB) per mL extract was used. No significant differences were observed in the results between the different sample preparation versions. QuEChERS took <10 min per individual sample, or <1 h for two chemists to prepare 32 pre-homogenized samples, and using LP-GC/TOFMS, <10 min run time and <15 min cycle time allowed >32 injections in 8 h. Overall, >126 analytes gave recoveries (3 spiking levels) in the range of 70–120% with <20% RSD. The results indicate that LP-GC/TOFMS for GC-amenable analytes matches UHPLC–MS/MS in terms of sample throughput and turnaround time for their routine, concurrent use in the analysis of a wide range of analytes in QuEChERS extracts to achieve reliable quantification and identification of pesticide residues in foods.     

Comparison of solvent extraction and solid-phase extraction for the determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in water.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) of organochlorine pesticide residues from environmental water samples was evaluated using octadecyl (C18)-bonded porous silica. The efficiency of SPE of these pesticide residues from reagent water samples at 1-5 micrograms dm-3 levels was compared with those obtained by solvent extraction with hexane and Freon TF (trichlorotrifluoroethane). Average recoveries exceeding 80% for these organochlorine pesticides were obtained via the SPE method using small cartridges containing 100 mg of 40 microns C18-bonded porous silica. The average recovery by solvent extraction with hexane and Freon TF exceeded 90% in both instances. It was concluded that the recoveries and precision for the SPE of organochlorine pesticides were poorer than those for the solvent extraction method. Organochlorine pesticide residue levels in environmental water samples from two major rivers flowing through predominantly rice-growing areas were monitored by gas chromatography using the solvent extraction method with hexane. Exceptionally high levels of organochlorine pesticide residues such as BHC, DDT, heptachlor, endosulfan and dieldrin were found in these water samples.     

气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱动态多反应监测模式测定枸杞干果中118种农药残留

枸杞中丰富的营养物质深受广大消费者喜爱,但也极易受到病虫侵害,农药残留问题引起了人们的广泛关注。基质干扰是微量分析的一个难点,高灵敏度和高选择性的色谱-串联质谱技术是复杂基质中微量分析强有力的工具,动态扫描监测模式的优越性逐渐取代传统的多反应监测扫描模式,简便、快速、省时的QuEChERS前处理方法已被广泛应用于食品的农药残留检测中。采用改良QuEChERS法结合动态多反应监测模式(dMRM),建立了同时检测枸杞干果中118种农药残留的气相色谱-三重四极杆质谱分析方法。实验比较了不同加水量、提取溶剂、提取过程中温度提取条件,以及无水硫酸镁吸水剂、乙二胺-N-丙基硅烷化硅胶PSA、十八烷基硅烷键合硅胶C₁₈净化填料添加量时农药的回收率,确定出最优前处理方法。结果表明,5 g样品经10 mL超纯水复水,用10 mL乙腈浸提,于-18 ℃冷冻10 min后,用缓冲体系盐包提取后,经800 mg无水硫酸镁、150 mg PSA、150 mg C₁₈混合填料净化,基质匹配外标法定量。118种农药在一定范围内线性关系良好,相关系数R²≥0.9923,检出限和定量限分别为0.006~28.344 μg/kg和0.021~94.480 μg/kg, 4个添加水平的回收率为64.97%~126.21%, RSDs均小于19%(n=6)。基质效应考察结果表明,82%的农药呈现为基质增强效应,其他为基质抑制效应;9%的农药表现为强基质效应,其他为中等或弱基质效应;采用基质匹配标准曲线校正,可有效降低基质效应的影响。应用建立的方法测定10批枸杞样品,全部样品有农药检出,共检出农药22种。该方法操作简便快速,准确可靠,适用于枸杞干果中农药多残留的日常检测和快速筛查。     

基于多壁碳纳米管改进QuEChERS法结合气相色谱-串联质谱检测茶叶中10种拟除虫菊酯类农药残留

利用多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)QuEChERS法提取茶叶中拟除虫菊酯类残留农药,采用气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)分析测定,建立了一种灵敏度高、可靠性强的茶叶中农药残留检测方法。比较了单壁碳纳米管(SWCNTs)、MWCNTS、氨基化多壁碳纳米管和石墨烯4种碳纳米材料和其不同用量下的净化效果;采用正交试验设计对前处理最佳实验条件进行筛选,并对实验影响因素进行方差分析。结果表明:提取溶剂、碳纳米材料种类对10种拟除虫菊酯类农药回收率的影响具有极显著统计学差异(p<0.001),提取时间对回收率的影响有统计学差异(p<0.05),碳纳米材料用量对回收率影响不显著(p>0.05);最佳样品前处理条件为以乙腈为提取溶剂,超声提取35 min,净化剂为60 mg MWCNTs、200 mg PSA和200 mg C18。方法学考察表明,10种拟除虫菊酯类农药在0.01~2 mg/L范围内线性良好;检出限(LOD)为0.001~0.01 mg/kg,定量限(LOQ)为0.005~0.04 mg/kg;绿茶样品空白基质加标试验中,10种农药的回收率为91.4%~109.7%,相对标准偏差为0.12%~9.80%(n=6)。对花茶、绿茶、红茶3种茶叶基质进行基质效应(ME)评价,结果发现净化剂中加入MWCNTs在绿茶和红茶基质中能有效降低ME。利用该方法检测了市售120份茶叶中拟除虫菊酯类农药的残留,多个样品中检出目标物,但均未超标。该方法检测灵敏度高,可靠性好,具有良好的回收率和稳定性,能满足茶叶中农药残留快速定量分析的要求。     

Dual‐layer column filtration cleanup and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry detection for the analysis of 39 pesticide residues in porcine meat

A rapid and effective method was developed for the analysis of 39 pesticide residues in porcine meat with dual‐layer multiplug filtration cleanup and gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry detection. The cleanup process was performed with columns packed with two layers, namely multiwalled carbon nanotubes, C18 and anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) as top layer, while mixture of florisil and MgSO₄ as bottom layer. A single‐layer method was tested in parallel, with columns packed with the same amount of absorbents. Extraction conditions and filtration cleanup process were optimized to obtain satisfied method performance. Method linearity was calculated with coefficients of determination more than 0.995. The limits of quantitation were verified with acceptable accuracy at the lowest spiked concentration of 0.01 mg/kg (except pyrimethanil). The recoveries at three fortified levels (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg) in five replicates were between 74 and 118% (except pyrimethanil) with relative standard deviations range from 1 to 16%. The matrix effects were in the range of 1.01 to 2.84. This new method was applied for the analysis of multipesticide residues in market samples of porcine meat. This study showed the dual‐layer multiplug filtration cleanup demonstrated better performance than that with the single‐layer columns in cleanup of porcine meat.     

Fast and easy multiresidue method employing acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and "dispersive solid-phase extraction" for the determination of pesticide residues in produce

A simple, fast, and inexpensive method for the determination of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is introduced. The procedure involves initial single-phase extraction of 10 g sample with 10 mL acetonitrile, followed by liquid-liquid partitioning formed by addition of 4 g anhydrous MgSO4 plus 1 g NaCl. Removal of residual water and cleanup are performed simultaneously by using a rapid procedure called dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE), in which 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4 and 25 mg primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbent are simply mixed with 1 mL acetonitrile extract. The dispersive-SPE with PSA effectively removes many polar matrix components, such as organic acids, certain polar pigments, and sugars, to some extent from the food extracts. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is then used for quantitative and confirmatory analysis of GC-amenable pesticides. Recoveries between 85 and 101% (mostly > 95%) and repeatabilities typically < 5% have been achieved for a wide range of fortified pesticides, including very polar and basic compounds such as methamidophos, acephate, omethoate, imazalil, and thiabendazole. Using this method, a single chemist can prepare a batch of 6 previously chopped samples in < 30 min with approximately 1 dollar (U.S.) of materials per sample.     

Validation of a fast and easy method for the determination of residues from 229 pesticides in fruits and vegetables using gas and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric detection

Validation experiments were conducted of a simple, fast, and inexpensive method for the determination of 229 pesticides fortified at 10-100 ng/g in lettuce and orange matrixes. The method is known as the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method for pesticide residues in foods. The procedure involved the extraction of a 15 g sample with 15 mL acetonitrile, followed by a liquid-liquid partitioning step performed by adding 6 g anhydrous MgSO4 plus 1.5 g NaCl. After centrifugation, the extract was decanted into a tube containing 300 mg primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbent plus 1.8 g anhydrous MgSO4, which constituted a cleanup procedure called dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive SPE). After a second shaking and centrifugation step, the acetonitrile extract was transferred to autosampler vials for concurrent analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with an ion trap instrument and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with a triple quadrupole instrument using electrospray ionization. Each analytical method was designed to analyze 144 pesticides, with 59 targeted by both instruments. Recoveries for all but 11 of the analytes in at least one of the matrixes were between 70-120% (90-110% for 206 pesticides), and repeatabilities typically <10% were achieved for a wide range of fortified pesticides, including methamidophos, spinosad, imidacloprid, and imazalil. Dispersive SPE with PSA retained carboxylic acids (e.g., daminozide), and <50% recoveries were obtained for asulam, pyridate, dicofol, thiram, and chlorothalonil. Many actual samples and proficiency test samples were analyzed by the method, and the results compared favorably with those from traditional methods.     

QuEChERS-气相色谱/串联质谱法同时测定杨桃中37种农药残留

建立了QuEChERS-气相色谱/三重四极杆串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)测定杨桃中37种农药残留量的方法.样品以1％乙酸乙腈为提取溶剂,采用QuEChERS净化,在质谱多反应监测(MRM)模式下进行定性,基质匹配标准曲线外标法定量.结果表明:在0.01～0.5 mg/L范围内,37种农药的线性关系良好,方法定量限均低于0.01 mg/kg;在低、中、高3个添加水平范围内平均回收率在72.9％～117％之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)≤9.6％.该方法简单、快速、溶剂用量少、灵敏度高,适用于分析杨桃样品中37种农药残留量的检测和确证.     

Application of low-pressure gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to the determination of pesticide residues in tropical fruits

A multiresidue method has been developed for determining pesticide residues in the tropical fruits kiwi, custard apple, and mango. The intended purpose of the method is for regulatory analyses of commodities for pesticides that have established maximum residue limits. A fast and simple extraction method with cyclohexane-ethyl acetate (1 + 1, v/v) and a high-speed homogenizer was optimized. Pressurized liquid extraction was evaluated as an alternative automated extraction technique. The pesticide residues were determined by using low-pressure gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed methodology was validated for each matrix. Pesticide recoveries ranged from 70 to 110%, with repeatability relative standard deviations of < or = 18% at spiking levels of 12 and 50 microg/kg. The limits of quantitation were in the range of 0.03-6.17 microg/kg, and the limits of detection were between 0.01 and 3.75 microg/kg. Mango can be selected as a representative matrix for calibration on the basis of the results of a potential matrix effect study. The method was successfully applied to the determination of pesticide residues in real samples in Spain.     

Quantification and screening of pesticide residues in food by gas chromatography-exact mass time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-exact mass time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) method has been developed for the quantification of approximately one hundred pesticides in baby food, pear and lettuce samples. Prior to analysis, co-extractives were removed from acetonitrile:toluene (80:20) extracts using dispersive solid-phase extraction with primary secondary amine (50mg) and carbon sorbent (50mg). The concentration of pesticides in the extracts was measured using an extracted mass chromatogram window of 0.05 Th. Samples spiked with pesticides at 0.01 and 0.1 mgkg(-1) yielded average recoveries in the range of 70-109% with relative standard deviations less than 26% and displayed good linearity for the majority of the analytes. The method was applied to the screening of pear and lettuce samples for pesticide residues. Targeted quantification and exact mass peak detection, deconvolution and library searching packages were used successfully to detect and identify incurred residues present in the samples at concentrations above 0.01 mgkg(-1). The new feature dynamic range enhancement, improved mass accuracy, and hence detection and quantification of the analytes across the concentration range studied.     

分散固相萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱法测定蔬菜中107种农药的残留量

采用分散固相萃取-气相色谱-串联质谱(QuEChERS-GC-MS/MS)建立了蔬菜中107种农药残留量的分析方法。样品由含1%冰醋酸的正己烷饱和乙腈提取、分散固相萃取法净化,采用气相色谱-串联质谱方法在分时段选择反应监测模式下进行测定,外标法定量。所有农药在0.05～1 mg/L范围内线性关系均良好;所有农药的方法定量限(LOQ)均低于10 μg/kg;在10 μg/kg的添加水平下,大蒜、青刀豆、萝卜和菠菜4种基质中绝大多数农药的平均回收率处于60%～130%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)不大于15.3%。该方法不仅能用于多种蔬菜基质中107种农药残留的检测,而且还能较好地解决本底成分相当复杂的大蒜基质极易出现的干扰问题。     

Application of gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry to the multi-residue analysis of pesticides in green leafy vegetables

A new, sensitive and specific method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 129 pesticides in lettuce and other green leafy vegetables. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile and co-extractives such as fatty acids and pigments were removed using dispersive solid-phase extraction (dispersive-SPE) with primary secondary amine (PSA) and graphitized carbon black (GCB). All pesticides were analyzed in a single injection gas chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) acquisition method. Two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of precursor ions fragmenting into product ions were recorded for the targeted pesticides, thus fulfilling the EU identification points system criteria for the identification of contaminants (2002/657/EC). Calibration curves were determined using matrix-matched standards, and exhibited excellent linearity at two orders of magnitude from 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg for almost all the pesticides studied (R(2) > or = 0.99). The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of lettuce samples spiked at five concentration levels ranging from 0.005 to 0.5 mg/kg for each pesticide. The recovery and repeatability results satisfied SANCO/2007/3131 criteria (i.e. average recoveries were in the range 70-120% with RSDs < or =20%) for 114 of the 129 pesticides at the 0.005 mg/kg spiking level, and for almost all pesticides at the higher spiking levels. The methodology was applied successfully to identify and quantify pesticide residues in leafy vegetable samples such as lettuce, cabbage and leek.     

蔬菜中有机氯农药残留的超临界流体提取和气相色谱法测定

建立了用超临界流体萃取、气相色谱测定韭菜中百菌清、艾氏剂、狄氏剂、异狄氏剂残留量的方法。样品与无水硫酸镁混合后进行萃取。用正交设计法选择萃取条件,最佳条件为压力３０．４ＭＰａ,温度４０℃。静态萃取时间１ｍｉｎ,ＣＯ２用量１５ｍＬ,收集液为乙酸乙酯。     

对比3种不同的QuEChERS前处理方式在气相色谱-串联质谱检测分析烟草中上百种农药残留中的应用

以气相色谱-串联质谱(GC-MS/MS)技术为基础,建立了适合烟草中上百种农药残留分析的3种QuEChERS前处理方法:溶剂转换法、提取液稀释法和正己烷液液萃取法。以烟草中的有机磷、有机氯、拟除虫菊酯类、酰胺类、氨基甲酸酯类、二硝基苯胺类等共155种农药为研究对象,从基质效应、共萃取基质、色谱峰干扰、回收率和定量限等方面对3种前处理方式进行对比分析。经考察发现,3种方法各有优缺点,正己烷液液萃取法得到的提取液中共萃取基质含量最少,但只能保证约100种目标物的回收率在70%~120%;溶剂转换法和提取液稀释法对绝大部分目标物都能保证回收率在70%~120%,适合用于多农药残留分析检测。对不同种类农药进行对比,发现有机磷、酰胺类和氨基甲酸酯类农药的基质效应相对较强,而有机氯和拟除虫菊酯类目标物的基质效应相对较弱,因此,对有机磷农药单独分析时,建议使用提取液稀释法;对有机氯和拟除虫菊酯类农药单独分析时,建议使用正己烷液液萃取法。     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定食品中20种氨基甲酸酯类农药残留

建立了食品中20种氨基甲酸酯类农药残留量的高效液相色谱-串联质谱联用(HPLC-MS/MS)测定与确证方法。20种氨基甲酸酯类农药在0.005～0.1 mg/kg范围内线性良好,相关系数为0.991 7～0.999 6;在0.005～0.025 mg/kg范围内, 20种目标物的回收率为51.2%～125.0%,相对标准偏差为1.4%～19.8%。该方法准确、灵敏、快速,可满足国际上对食品中这20种氨基甲酸酯类农药残留量的检测需要。     

Determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey, applying solid phase extraction with RP-C18 material

In this study, a new clean up method was developed for the routine multiresidue determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey. The analytical procedure requires sample extraction with methanol, followed by a clean up step through a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. Finally, pesticides are eluted with hexane. The determination of organochlorine pesticide residues was performed by capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The mean recoveries of 18 organochlorine pesticides were estimated at various concentrations and found very efficient in most cases. The detection limits were found to be between 0.05 and 0.20 microgram kg-1.